Ben Cowling, Jason Waitt and work commitments

Just wanted to write about the complications of hockey being an amateur sport and how it affects being a goalkeeper playing in the national leagues. Jobs and studying as a student make the life of a hockey player pretty tough, balancing commitments and needing to take extended time out for international action etc. Nick Brothers for example had to take a lot of time out with an understanding boss, as do many hockey international players, and George Bazeley can be quoted as saying he has an understanding boss, as can Kyle Pontifex (who works in IT of all things!).

And Canterbury's goalkeepers seemed to have been suffering with work commitment related problems, as I've heard and read about, as this article suggests:

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentish_gazette/sport/2011/september/15/canterbury_hockey.aspx

It was strange to see Jason Waitt who shot to fame instantly after time with Plymouth Marjon in their time in the national league West conference, before being called up to England U21s, then moving back home to Canterbury and playing for them in the National Premier league, before involvement in the GB Super League (an analysis camp tournament useful for deciding players' standings in the international set-up!). Shortly after he disappeared off to another Kent club, with work commitments as a teacher; a surprising move after making all that effort and securing the first team spot!

http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/Waitt-overjoyed-late-England-ranks/story-11679364-detail/story.html#axzz2Mn5JIl4j

http://www.simonhartphotography.com/_photo_7026251.html

Just goes to show that and how life decisions can have an impact on hockey!!

But I think Cowling is playing more of a role with the club again. And it looks like I might have been wrong about Diccon Stubbings bouncing back after his struggles, as Ben Cowlings's twitter account suggests he was back in the squad! Struggling to find match reports/team sheets to confirm or verify so a little confused!!!